Lasting-machine for boots or shoes



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. P. PRESTON.

LASTING MACHINE FOR BOOTS 0R SHOES. No. 395.630. Patented Jan. 1, 1889.

- l'NVENTEIR \NITN E5 5 E5. :MuviYTPmiun 5 M (No Model.) 5 Sheets$heet2.

A.F.PRESTON. LASTING MACHINE FOR BOOTS 0R SHOES.

N0.-395,630. Patented Jan. 1, 1889.

\NITNEBEEE. N N R- :PNQHCY PUEE an- (No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3. A. F. PRESTON.

I LASTING MACHINE FOR BQOTS 0R SHOES. No. 395,630.

Patented Jan. 1

INVENTU :RYuefiTPtETEm w 3 L fi 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Patented Jan. 1, 1889.

P'ce fiery ,gmm JZZZrnEg (No Model.)

A. F. PRESTON.

LASTING MACHINE FOR BOOTS 0R SHOES. No. 395.630.

w UK? Y UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

ALBERT F. PRESTON, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE PRES- TONLASTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

LASTlNG-MACHINE FOR BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,630, dated January1, 1889.

Application filed December 7, 1887. Serial No. 257,231. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT F. PRESTON, of Lynn, in the county of Essexand State of l\lassachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Lasting Boots or Shoes, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a machine for lasting boots or shoes; and theinvention consists of: a series of pairs of jaws or clamps arrangedsubstantially in a horizontal plane or in a plane corresponding to orsubstantially to the longil udinal contour of the bottom of the boot orshoe last, in combination I 5 with means for operation on said jaws toclose said jaws upon and firmly grasp and hold between them one side ofthe upper of a boot or shoe suitably held therefor at desired points ator about or along the edge and then move them all together or at thesame time, or substantially at the same time, to firmly pull and stretchthe side of the upper up and over the edge and partly across the outersurface of the inner sole on the last, the series of jaws being arrangedto move and pull in such directions that each pair of jaws will move andpull in a direction at right angles, or substantially at right angles,to that part of the edge of the inner sole over which and where 7 0 itgrasps and pulls upon the upper for the upper to then be secured to theinner sole, substantially as described, or in any suitable manner, allsubstantially as hereinafter fully described.

5 The invention also consists of a series of pairs of jaws or clampsarranged substantially in the same horizontal plane or in a plane orline corresponding to or substantially to the longitudinal contour ofthe bottom of a boot or shoe last and constructed and arranged to graspand hold between them one side of the upper of a boot or shoe at desiredpoints at or about or along the edge, connected and attached to andcarried by guiding bars or 4 5 rods that are arranged to move and areguided in diverging lines backward from the last, said guiding bars orrods being connected to an operating rock shaft or other suitable meansfor. operation thereof, so that each pair ot' jaws will pull upon theside of the upper of the boot or shoe in a line corresponding to itsline of direction in which its respective guiding-bar is arranged tomove or travel, all substantially as hereinafter fully described.

The invention also consists of a series of 5 5 pairs of jaws or clampsarranged substan tially in the same horizontal plane, or in a planecorresponding to or substantially to the longitudinal contour of thebottom of a boot or shoe last, and constructed and arranged to grasp andhold between them one side of the upper of a boot or shoe at desiredpoints at or about or alon the edge; one portion of said series of jawswhich grasp and hold the upper at or about the shank portion being con-6 5 nected and attached to and carried by guidi ng bars or rods that arearranged. to move and are guided in diverging lines backward from thelast, and the other portion of said jaws which grasp and hold the upperat or about the heel and ball portions being connected and attached toand carried by guiding bars or rods that are arranged to move and areguided in lines the reverse of or crossing the guiding bars or rods ofthe nearest jaws thereto, and preferably arranged to move in slightlyconverging lines,.and all con nected to an operating rock-shaft or othersuitable means for operation thereof, so that each pair of jaws willpull upon the side of the upper of the boot or shoe in a linecorresponding to the line of direction in which. its respectiveguiding-bar is arranged to move or travel, all substantially ashereinafter fully described.

The invention also consists of a series of pairs of jaws or clampsarranged substantially in the same horizontal plane, or in a planecorresponding to or substantially to the longitudinal contour of thebottom of the 0 boot or shoe last, said jaws being operated by suitablemechanism to grasp and hold be tween them one side of the upper of aboot or shoe at desired points at or about or along the edge, and tothen swing downward and 5 backward at their pivotal connection, and tothen pull and stretch the upper over the edge of the inner sole in adirection. 011 the same plane, or substantially on the same plane, ofthe bottom surface of the inner sole, all sub Ioo stantially ashereinafter fully described.

The invention also consists of a pair of jaws pivoted to a bar or rodadapted to move back and forth in suitable guideways, its upper j awengaging with a pivoted lever or arm suitably connected to an operatingrock-shaft or other suitable means, by which said upper jaw is caused toclose upon its lower jaw and grasp what is placed between the two jaws,and by the continued operation of the operating mechanism move said jawsback, all substantially as hereinafter fully described.

The invent-ion. also consists of certain other construction andarrangement of parts for the proper operation of the machine, allsubstantially as hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings is illustrated a machine forlasting boots or shoes in accordance with this invention, Figure 1representing such machine in side view, Fig. 2 in plan view, and Fig. 3in vertical longitudinal section, line 3 3, Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5,detail side views; Figs. 6 and 7, detail side views and longitudinalvertical sections; Fig. 8, a horizontal cross-section on line 8 8, Fig.3. Fig. 9 represents several views in detail, to be hereinafter referredto.

In the drawings, A represents a bed-frame, which is substantially of arectangular box shape, and having secured to and a short distance aboveits upper edges, B, by upright bolts 0, a horizontal rectangular frame,D, corresponding to the sides and ends of the bed-frame and having amiddle cross-bar, E. This bed or box frame A rests on and is firmlyconnected to the top of a hollow standard, F, by screw-bolts a, theupper part only being shown in the drawings, which standard supports allthe parts of the machine, and is suitably constructed to stand or reston the floor.

G G represent separate pairs of jaws or clamps, there being eight pairsin all shown in the present machine, each pair of jaws being securedby apivot, 19, between two arms, (1, and at the front end of a separate baror holder, H. Each of these bars H supports and carries a pair of jaws,and serves also as means for giving the proper direction of the movementand pull of its respective pair of jaws upon the upper in the operationof the machine. They are square in cross-section attheir front portionsand are disposed between the "upper frame, D, and the bed-frame A, andat their rear ends, which are round in crosssection, four of them, 1, 2,3, and 4, are between a middle longitudinal bar, J, and upper edge ofthe back portion, K, of the bedframe A, and the other four guide-bars,5, 6, 7, and 8, being above or over the first four guide-bars, arebetween said middle bar, J, and the upper frame, D, and all beingarranged to move longitudinally back and forth, and in such movementseach bar is guided laterally at its front end by vertical round rods L,one each side, arranged to turn vertically by its journal ends 6 inbearings in the front portions, M N, respectively, of the frames A andD.

The rear and round end, f, of each of the lower four guide-bars, 1, 2,3, and 4c, is disposed in a correspondinglyshaped socket, g, in aseparate block, P, arranged to swivel vertically 011 horizontal pivotsh, turning in bearings in another block, Q, adapted to swivelhorizontally on vertical pivots m, turning in bearings in thelongitudinal bar J and the upper edge of the back portion, K, of thebedframe A, and the rear ends of each of the upper four guide-bars, 5,6, 7, and S, are disposed in similar swiveling blocks, having likeletters, pivoted between the longitudinal bar J and the back portion ofthe upper frame, D, these pivoted blocks P Q making substantially auniversal swiveling-joint connection with their supports, by which freemovement longitudinally backward and forward of the back end of eachguide-bar II and laterally in all directions is secured.

The four guide-bars l, 2, 3, and 4, extend backward in diverging lineson substantially the same horizontal plane, and the other fourguide-bars 5, 6, 7, and 8, two at each end being in substantially ahorizontal. plane above and over the first four guide-bars, extendbackward in slightly-converging lines and in directions laterally (moreor less) the reverse of the first four,'all as shown more particularlyin plan view in Fig. 2. Each pair of jaws is attached to the front endof its respective guide-bar H, and the guide-bars are all arranged insuch manner that all the jaws when in their normal positions will be substantially in a horizontal plane, or a plane corresponding to orsubstantially to the longitudinal contour of the bottom of the boot orshoe last at the front of the machine.

Each upper jaw, S, is pivoted by its pivot b to its guide-bar II by avertical tongue, at, at its back, which is disposed in a groove in thearm t of the lower jaw, T, on which pivot 19 the upper jaw can move orswing vertically to and from the lower jaw and both jaws as one on theirguide-bar H.

Pivoted at a, between the two upper arms, 2f, of the lower jaw, T, inthe groove 0*, is an arm or lever, U, which extends upward and somewhatforward in the form shown in the drawings, and is secured at its upperend by a pivot, 11, to one end of a pitman-rod, -V, extending backtherefrom above the frame D and secured by a pivot, w, to and betweentwo arms, .00, of a sleeve, \V, adapted to swivel around on the upperend of an upwardly-projecting lever or arm, Y, having a handle, y, andscrewing by its end .2 into a rim or flange, a, of a horizontalrockshaft, A, adapted to turn in bearings of uprights B, extending backfrom and forming part of the bed-frame A. a

The lower end of each arm or lever U, pivoted to the arms of the lowerjaw, T, has a segment, Z), of a gear which engages with another segment,d, of a gear 011 the tongue 01 of the upper jaw, S, so that as the armor lever U is swung backward or forward on its pivot a it will, throughthe segmental gears b (1, cause the upper jaw, S, to swing on its pivotand respectively move to or from its lower jaw, T, to open or close thetwo jaws.

The rock-shaft carries a pulley, C, at its central portion, in thegroove 6 of which is arranged a chain, D, its two ends extending downtherefrom and connected by one end to a spiral spring, E, secured to thestandard below (but not shown) in any suitable manner, and by its otherend to the upper end of a rod, F, which at its other end is suitablyconnected to a treadle pivoted in any suitable manner to the bottom ofthe standard, but not shown in the drawings, so that if the treadle ispressed down it will, through the chain-connection with the pulley, turnthe rock-shaft. in the direction of the arrow, Figs. 1, 3, and 6, and,allowing the treadle to raise the spring E, will act upon the roek-shaft to return it to its original and normal position. To insure positivemovement of the shaft by the chain, it is secured to the pulley by across-pin, f. (Shown in Figs. 6 and 7 Each of the guide-bars H bears andrests by a vertical screw, l, having ahead, in, for operation thereof,screwing through it when they are in their normal positions, (shown inFigs. 1 and 3,) upon a transverse horizontal bar, H, arranged within thebed-frame A, which transverse bar rests by its under inclined surfaces,g, upon inclined upper surfaces or rib edges, 71., of the bed-frame.Turning the screws G in. or out raises or lowers the bars and regulatestheir height above the transverse bar H, and correspondingly the heightof the jaws G and their relativepositions horizontally, as desired.Along the front edge of this transverse bar ll, on its upper side, are aseries of ribs or shoulders, '02, one in front of eachguide-bar-regulating screw G, and against which its respective screw isarranged to abut or bear in the opera tion of the machine, as will behereinafter described.

The transverse bar H is ar anged to freely move backward and forward onits inclined bearings within the bed-frame, and for such movements it isconnected by an arm, a, secured to it at its middle portion by a bolt,1', and by a pivot, t, to and between the ends of two pitmairrods, .l,their other ends being connected to the pulley C, one each side, by ascrew-bolt, a, which extends through the pulley and through slots c ineach pitman-rod, the location of the boltu 011 the pulley beingpreferably above the shaft A when in its normal position. The slots 4;allow the pulleyto turn a short distance before the bolt 7'' will actupon the pitm an -rods J to move the transverse bar H backward, and thelocation of the bolt to on the pulley in reference to its rotation inthe last portion or about the last half of the movement of the pulley issuch that it will not move or act upon the bar, as the bolt will thenonly move substantially in a vertical line, moving comparatively littlehorizontally. Turning the rock-shaft in the direction of the arrow,Figs. 1, 3, and 6, each lever or arm Y is swung over or backward,pulling by its pitman-rod V upon the arm U, pivoted to the lower jaw,and through its segmental-gear connection closes the upper jaw, S, uponits lower jaw, T, and when so closed the pitman-rods .l of thetransverse bar H, as the pulley continues to turn, will pull the sameback and down its incline bearings, and through its shoulders m,abuttingagainst the guide-bar screws G, will pull back and lower theguide-bars II, by which the pivoted connection Z) of each jaw will moveback and down substantially in the arc of a circle of which the frontend of each jawis the center, and which, practically, does not move backward or downward until the jaws are in substantially a horizontalposition, as shown in Fig. et, when the arm of the lower jaw T of eachpair of jaws will abut against a shoulder, 51', on its guide-bar,preventing any further swing or movement of the jaws 011 its guide-bar,when the levers Y will then act upon and pull the several guidebars Hback, carrying with them their respective pairs of jaws.

The upwardly-exten(led arm 1 of each upper jaw, S, has an elongatedopening, a extending through it sidewise, its upper and lower walls orends, Z1 (Z having sockets through which projects and is adapted to moveup and down or backward and forward therein a rod or pin, K, having ahead, f its lower end. being tapering, which rod has aradially-projectin pin, g secured to it between the two ends to abutagainst the upper end, Z1 to prevent any further upward n'lovement ofthe rod than desired. A spiral spring, L, encircles the rod and bearsagainst the pin g and the lower end, (7 of the arm, which acts to keepthe rod in its higl'lest position unless otherwise acted upon.

Each rod K is located above and perpendicular to an opening, 71 throughits upper jaw, which opening 71 is over an open slot, m in the lowerjaw. Each pair of jaws is secured to the front end of a block, M, whichhas a round ten on, 12?, adapted to fit within a central longitiulinalsocket, 0- in the end of the main portion of the bar, by whichconnection each pair of jaws can bemoved in or out and be turned aroundvertically for the adjustment of its position relative to thelongitudinal contour line of the bottom of the last placed in positionfor lasting the upper and the projecting distance of each pair of jawsfrom the frame-work, according to the size or width and the convexityand concavity of the edge of the inner sole, and it is provided with aset-screw, to secure it from movement or accidental escapement from thebar.

N is the jack for holding the last for the boot to be lasted, and it hasa spindle, extending downward, arranged to turn in bearings in two arms,u of a holder, P, pivoted at v to the end of a Hat bar, Q, whichprojects horizontally through and is adapted to IIO move backward andforward in a vertical slot, 10 in the standard running by its upper andlower edges, which are suitably shouldered longitudinally therefor, asat 90 upon frictionrollers R, turning upon journals 1 on the standard,by which connections the jack can be swung up to and away from themachine by its pivot r and moved backward and forward by slidin the barQ in its slot 10 and rotated horizontally on its spindle '6 On the lowerend of the spindle is a gearwheel, S, and T is a double swinging pawlpivoted to the standard to engage therewith when desired to hold thejack from turning on its spindle.

U is a plate set up edgewise and centrally pivoted on the end of a bar,c, which bar is adapted to slide forward and backward in a horizontalgroove, U, in the bed-frameA,.and is arranged to be secured therein by asetscrew, (1 screwing up through the bed-frame. The plate U also has onits back side two screws, V, projecting backward therefrom, one neareach end, by which the angle of the plate when it is placed back againstthe front of the bed-frame can be arranged as desired, and when so adjusted the set-screw (Z is screwed in to hold the plate in its fixedposition.

The series of pairs of jaws and their respective connecting guide barsand other parts in their construction and operation are alike. Thedescription and illustration of one answers for each of the others, andin Figs. 4t, 5, 6, and 7 is illustrated one pair of jaws and itsconnecting parts for operation thereof in side elevation and partialsection, the series of movements that each pair ofj aws performs, andits operation on the upper of the boot or shoe in lasting the same fromits normal position ready to receive the upper to its posi tion when theupper is drawn over the edge of the inner sole or lasted ready to besecured by a tack, &c., to the inner sole, will now be seen. In theseviews the last-D upper E and inner sole, F are shown in detail in dottedlines.

The operation of the machine is substantially as follows: \Vith themachine in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the last, havingthe inner sole and upper placed upon it and drawn over the toe and heelin the usual manner, is placed upon the jack, the toe, for instance, atthe right, the jack being moved forward for the purpose by sliding it onits rollers R. It is then moved back and swung upon its pivot r untilthe upper of the boot at the side of the last abuts against the plateU,which has been properly adjusted for the size of the boot and whichplaces the inside of the side of the boot-upper at or about its edgefarther from the machine against the inner or operating faces, f, of theseveral lower jaws to guide-bars 1, 2, 3, 4:, 6, 7, and 8, and betweenthem and under their respective upper jaws,as shown in Fig. 4, holdingthe boot thus placed firmly against the plate U, press down the treadle,which will turn the pulley and its shaft, carrying with it the levers orarms Y Y, which, through their respective connecting-rods V to the armsor levers U of the several jaws G, will cause the upper jaws, S, bytheir gear-connection therewith, assisted by gravitation, to swing ontheir pivots or fall down to and close upon the lower jaws, as shown inFig. 5, grasping between the two jaws of each pair of jaws the edge ofthe upper placed between them, as shown. \Vhen so closed, the pulley Cwill have turned snfficiently for its pin or belt a to abut against theouter ends, m of the slots 1; in the pitman-rods J and in its continuedrotation will, by the pitman-rods J, pull upon and movesaid transversebar back and down its inclined bearing-surfaces h, and, by its severalribs or shoulders m abutting and striking against their respectivescrew-pins l of the several j aw-guiding bars H, the guiding-bars willmove backward and downward from the movement of the transverse bar downits inclined bearing-surfaces, so that the lower jaws will then restupon the inner sole of the boot being lasted, as shown in Fig. (i. Themovement thus far, however, does not pull the jaws backward, but merelychanges the plane of their pivotal connection with the bars in relationto the plane of their front ends from its elevated or angular position(shown in Fig. 5) into substantially ahorizontal one, as shown in Fig.6, or, in other words, so that the line of grip of the jaws and theirpivotal connections with their jaw-guiding bars will be in the line ofthe direction horizontally in which the jaw-guiding bars are to bepulled, or substantially in the same horizontal line, and at such timethe transverse bar will have practically ceased movement, so that itsribs or shoulders m will have no effect upon the guide-bars, even ifthey should bear upon them, and the arm or lever U of each pair of jawswill have reached and abutted against its repective shoulder as on itsjaw-guiding bar H, as shown in Fig. 6, so that in the continued movementof the shaft and pulley the jaw-guiding bars will then all be pulled andmoved back, carrying the jaws back with them, and in such movements thejaws grasping the edge of the upper will pull upon and stretch the upperfirmly over the edge of the inner sole and hold it down upon the outersurface thereof, according to the stretch and tightness required of theupper over the inner sole, as shown in Fig. 7, when the upper is tackedto the inner sole by inserting in each opening 71. 111 each upper jaw atack, point downward,

and striking each rod K upon its head,which by its lower end will drivethe tack through the upper and into the inner sole and fasten and securethe upper to the inner sole, thus lasting one side of the boot or shoe.hen the upper is secured by the tacks, the treadle is allowed to rise,which allows the spring E to turn the shaft and pulley in the reversedirection, returning all the parts back into IIO their normal positions,(shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4,) and then the jack is swung and movedforward and turned round in order to last the other side of the boot,which is accomplished in a similar manner to the first side of the bootexcept that the jaws to the jawguiding bar 5 are used in lieu of thejaws to the jaw-guiding bar 8 used before, and when lasted the jack isswung and moved forward and the lasted boot removed from the jack, andthe last with another boot placed thereon to be lasted, as before, andso on. \Vhen the guide-bars have moved back, the lower jaw, T, abuts byits shoulder against the under shoulder, h of its respective bar H, bywhich, through the last part of the backward movement of its lever orarm U, the upper jaw, S, is swung up into its open position ready forthe reception of the upper of the boot, as described.

On the round portion f of some of the jawguiding bars H is a spiralspring, a abutting by one end against the block P, its tension servingto help return the bar to its normal position after the operation of themachine. The middle bars, however, do not need the springs in practicaloperation. The transverse bar H also has a spiral spring, \V, secured byone end to it and by its other end to the bed-frame, which returns thebar to and helps to keep it in its normal position. The pull of eachpair of jaws upon the upper is arranged to be in a line at right angles,or

substantially at right angles, to the edge of the inner sole over whichthe upper is being drawn and stretched, substantially as is shown inFig. 9, where an inner sole is shown in dotted lines, showing itsposition on the last for operation thereon, and at the same time by thedivergence of the four guidingbars 1 2 3 4, as shown, which are moreparticularly for action on the upper at or about the shank of the boot,as their respective jaws move backward in stretching the upper, theyalso move laterally and from each other, so that the upper when beingstretched over the inner sole is not only pulled directly over such edgeat right angles, or substantially at right angles, thereto, but is alsostretched more or less laterally along such edge, so that when finallysecured to the inner sole over the last the upper will fit more snuglyto the last, much better than by han d-lasting, and will be smoother andhave a much better general appearance after the last is removed from theboot.

The guide-bars T 8 at the right extend back in directions more or lessthe reverse of the two guide-bars 3 4c nearest to them, and are alsoslightly converging, as the jaws to these guide-bars 7 8 are to pull theupper over the edge of the inner sole at the heel when one side of theboot is lasted (see Fig. 2) and at the ball when the opposite side ofthe boot is lasted, where the direction of the line of such edges ismore or less convex, requiring such change of direction of pull uponsuch jaws to the reverse of the jaws 7 8, and generally in practicaloperation all. the jaws except the two outer ones, 5 8, working on bothsides of the upper, these outer ones alternately operating on the ballof the boot. In using this machine, although there are eight pairs ofjaws and their respective guiding+bars shown, only seven are used at atime, the four middle ones at all times, the two 7 8 at the right andthe one 6 at the left when the boot is lasted with the toe of the bootat the right, and the two 5 6 at the left and the one 7 at the rightwhen the toe of the boot is at the left. After the boot is lasted inthis machine the remaining portion of the toe and heel can be properlylasted in any suitable manner or in any suitable machine, as desired, orcan be lasted at the toe and heel before being operated upon by thismachine.

Although eight pairs of jaws and their guiding-bars are described andshown, a larger number might be used if desirous of bringing the jawscloser together laterally and to more effectually stretch as much of oneside of the upper over the last as can be done in such a machine, in.order to last as little as possible of the heel and toe separately.

In Fig. 9 is represented in several detail views the upper jaw, S, andits upward-extended arm y as providedwith means for the better applyingor feeding the tacks used in securing the upper to the inner sole, andin such figure view R represents said jaw and additional parts in frontview ready to receive a tack; R front view with the hammerpin K as moveddown and driving a tack; R a side view of view R; R, a vertical sectionon line 5 5, viewR; R a vertical section on line 6 6, view R but withthe movable parts in the position shown in view R R and R show invertical section two of the parts in different positions and as respectively shown in R and R these two views being enlarged. In these views 10are two blocks pivoted at 7J3 to the front of the arm y of the jaw aboveits upper surface, and so they can rest thereon when in their normalpositions, as shown in views R, R and R and in such position closetogether. Each block has a vertical tapering groove, a in its contiguousside or end and opposite to each other to form when placed in theirnormal positions (shown in views R, R R and R a conical socket oropening, f as shown more particularly at R, which is adapted to receiveand hold the tack ready to be driven into the upper and inner sole.

On the front side of the arm y and above the blocks 10 is a tube, Bslightly inclined forward, as shown, and having an upwardlyfiaringopening, h, and its lower end, 6 arranged to be j ustover or above theupper end of the conical socket f, formed by the two blocks.

The operation is as follows: The tack is placed in the upper end of thetube B which passes down through the tube into the conical socket, and,with the upper between the two jaws,S T, it rests by its point upon theupper. Striking the pin K drives the tack through the upper into theinner sole, and as the lower end of the hammer-pin passes down throughthe conical socket the blocks 10 swing upon their pivots, as shown in Rand R to allow its free passage through the socket f, and when thehammer-pin returns to its upper and normal position by its spring L theblocks by their gravity return to their normal positions ready toreceive another tack. lower end of the tube B is cut away sufficientlyto not interfere with the pin K in its movements. Such a constructionand arrangement of parts enables the tacks to be quickly placed inposition when lasting the bootfor securing the upper to the inner sole.

The conducting-tube B can be dispensed with, if desired, and the tackinserted directly in the conical socket; but it is preferable to use thetube.

The blocks 10 can have springs combined therewith to return them totheir normal positions, in lieu of depending on their gravity; also theycan be dispensed with and the tube B used alone; but it is preferable touse both.

It is preferable to make the groove a in each block tapering, asdescribed and shown, as the tack being tapering is the better disposedtherein, although the grooves can be strai ght, if desired.

The open slot m in the lower j aw allows the tack after being driveninto its place to pass out therefrom, so that the boot can be removedfrom the jaws.

The guide-bars II can be arranged to bear directly upon the transversebar, having a suitable shoulder or projection to abut against the rib orshoulder on the transverse bar, dispensing with the screws G; but it ispreferaable to use the screws or equivalent device, because the heightof the bar can be regulated and adjusted. They can be of any suitableconstruction and can each be in one piece, and can be arranged to moveand be guided in their necessary directions of movement in any suitablemanner, although, as shown and described, they are very satisfactory andpractical in construction and operation. The vertical turning pins orrolls L serve to reduce friction on the sides of the guidingbars as theymove forward and backward. The front end or block of each guide-bardirectly holding its pair of jaws is varied in shape to bring the jawsinto the required vertical position at the front of the machine fortheir proper reception and work upon the upper. The working-face of eachjaw S is serrated, as shown, to more firmly hold the upper between Theit and the lower jaw. The pitman-rods V are made in two pieces, t andu", and are connected together by a right and left screwthreaded sleeveor nut, A by the turning of which in the proper direction the rod V canbe lengthened or shortened, as desired. The screw-threaded nut A has aset-nut, J screwing onto the part 15 of the rod V; also each lever orarm Y has a set-nut, I1 and each height-regulating screw G a set-nut, Kby which each of the said screws is secured from accidental movementafter adjustment.

The feedin device for the tacks can be used for other purposes than inconnection with a lasting-machine or the two jaws, as described andshown, as they can be used on any suitable support when it is desired tohold or feed anddrive tacks, &e.

The length of pull by each pair of jaws upon the upper can be regulatedin several ways. For instance, and preferably, by screwing in or out thelever or arm Y of the rock? shaft, so that the distance thepivot-connection w of the pitman-rod V is more or less from the centerof rotation of the shaft and thus makes the levers or arms Y pull uponthe jaws more or less accordingly. The pitn'ian-rods Y can also belengthened or shortened by turning the right and left screw-threadedsleeve A in the one direction or the other.

The various parts of the machine are preferably made of any suitablemetal and constructed in any suitable manner.

Any suitable jack can be used in lieu of the one shown, which forms nopart of the present invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1.. In alasting-machine, the combination, with a series of pairs of pivoted jawsarranged diagonally upon a suitable frame or support, all on one sideand adapted to pull in diverging lines, of means, substantially asdescribed, to close said jaws and grasp and hold one side of the upperof a boot or shoe at or about its edge at or substantially at one andthe same time, so that each pair of jaws will pull upon said upper andstretch the same over the inner sole in a direction at right angles, orsubstantially at right angles, to the edge of the inner sole, where eachpair of jaws grasps and holds the upper.

2. In a lasting-machine, the combination, with a series of pairs ofpivoted jaws suitably attached and connected to bars or rods arrangeddiagonally in grooves or guideways upon a suitable frame or support, allon one side and adapted to pull in diverging lines, of means,substantially as described, c011- neeted to and arranged to pull saidbars or rods in such diverging lines, for the purpose specified.

3. In a lasting-machine, the combination, with a series of pairs ofpivoted jaws suitably attached and connected to bars or rods arrangeddiagonally upon a suitable frame or support in grooves 01' guidewavs andadapted to pull in diverging lines, and another series of pivoted jawssuit-ably attached and connected to bars or rods arranged diagonally onsaid frame or support in grooves or guide ways and to pull in diverginglines opposite to or crossing more or less the diagonal and diverginglines of the first series of jaw-guiding bars or rods, of means,substantially as described, connected to and arranged to pull said guidebars or rods in such diverging lines, for the purpose specified.

4-. In a lasting-machine, the combination, with a series of bars or rodsarranged to move backward and forward in suitable guideways and eachcarrying two jaws, of a transverse bar, I I, provided with ribs orshoulders m and arranged to move backward and forward on inclinedguideways 72 and on which transverse bar rest and bear the guide-barsII, each provided with a shoulder to abut against its respective rib orshoulder on on the transverse bar, substantially as and for the pur posespecified.

5. In a lasting-nmehinc, the combination, with a series of bars or rodsarranged to move backward and forward in suitable guideways and eachcarrying two jaws, of a transverse bar, If, provided with ribs orshoulders m and arranged to move backward and forward on inclinedguideways h, and on which trans verse bar rest and bear the guide barsor rods, &c., by a rcgulating-screw, Gr, for each screw to abut againstits respective rib or shoulder m on the transverse bar, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

(J. In a lasting-machine, the combination, with a series of bars orrods, ll, arranged to move backward and forward in suitable gu id ewaysand each carrying two jaws, of a transverse bar, II, provided with ribsor shoulders at and arranged to move backward and forward on inclinedguideways 71, and on which transverse bar rest and bear the guide barsor rods II, arranged to engage with or abut against their respectiveribs or shoulders m on the transverse bar, and all connected to arock-shaft or other suitable means for operation thereof, for thepurpose specified.

7. In a lasting-machine, the combination, with a series of bars or rods,H, arranged to move backward and forward in suitable gu ideways and eachcarrying two 'aws, of a transverse bar, II, provided with ribs orshoulders m and arranged to move backward and forward on inclinedgu'ideways 7L, and on which transverse bar rest and bear the guide barsor rods II by regulating screws G in position for such screws to engagewith or abut against their respective ribs or shoulders m on thetransverse bar, and all connected to a rockshaft or other suitable meansfor operation thereof, for the purpose specified.

S. In a lasting-machine, the combination, with a series of bars or rods,II, arranged to move backward an d forward in suitable guideways andeach carrying two jaws, of a transverse bar, I-I', provided with ribs orshoulders m and arranged to move backward and forward on inclinedguideways g, and on which transverse bar rest and bear the guide-barsII, and arranged to engage with or abut against their respective ribs orshoulders at on the transverse bar, said transverse bar be ing connectedby pitman-rods .I to a rocksha'ft, A, by a slot-bearing, e, and pin 10,and said guiding-bars to said rock-shaft by pitman-rods to levers orarms V, adj nstably secured to said rock-shaft, all for operationsubstantially as and for the purpose specified.

f). In a lasting-machine, the combination, with a series of bars orrods, I-I, arranged to move backward an d forward in suitable guidewaysand each carrying two jaws, of a trans verse bar, II, provided with ribsor shoulders m and arranged to move back and forward 011 inclinedguideways y',and on which transverse bar rest and bear the guide-bars IIby regulating screw G in position forsuch screw to abut against theirrespective ribs or shoulders W! on the transverse bar, said transversebar being connected by pitman-rods J to a rock-shaft, A, by aslot-bearing, r, and pin 7!), and said guiding-bars to said roclk-shaftby pitman-rods to levers or arms V, adj u stably secured to saidrock-shaft, all for operation substantially as and for the purposespecified.

10. In a lastirig-machine, a bar or rod, I-I, arranged to move back andforth in suitable guideways made in two parts, connected together by anadjustable connection, one of said parts carrying two jaws pivotedthereto, for the purpose specified.

11. In alastirig-machine,abar or rod, H, arranged to move backward andforward in suitable guideways made in two parts, one part provided witha tenon, n adapted to fit within a socket, W, in the other part andsecured thereto by a set-screw, s and carrying two jaws pivoted thereto,for the purpose specified.

12. In alasting-nlachine, the combination, with a bar or rod, ll,carrying two jaws pivoted thereto adapted to move backward and forwardin a guideway provided at the front with friction-rolls and at the rearby a universal swiveling connection with the support, for the purposespecified,

13. In a lasting-machinc, the combination, with two jaws pivoted to abar or rod, H, arranged to move backward and forward in suitableguideways and provided with shoulders cc and its, of a lever pivoted toone of said jaws, having a shoulder, 9 on its under side and arranged toengage with the other of said jaws and connected to means for operationthereof, for the purpose specified.

14. In a lasting-machine, the combination, with two jaws pivotedtogether for operation, substantially as described, and provided withopenings, of a spring rod or driver, K adapted to slide up and down insuitable guideways on one of said jaws, for the purslide up and down insuitable guideways on Io pose specified. said jaw, for the purposespecified.

15. In a lasting-machine, the combination, In testimony whereof I havehereunto set with two jaws pivoted together, provided my hand in thepresence of two subscribing with openings for operation, substantiallyas witnesses.

described, the upper one having pix oted ALBERT F. PRESTON. theretoblocks 10 and each provided with a Vitnesses:

tapering groove, (1 on its contiguous side or EDWIN V. BROWN,

end, of a spring rod or driver, K, adapted to PERCY BRYANT.

